Cycling couple killed in Bristol hit-and-run had just been given go ahead to start IVF treatment

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A married couple who were killed riding their new tandem on Sunday had been
celebrating after getting the go-ahead for fertility treatment.

Ross and Clare Simons, described as being “like two peas in a pod”, were
knocked down and killed by a Citroën Picasso that was being followed by a
police patrol car in Hanham, Bristol.

A man aged 38 and a woman aged 35 were later arrested on suspicion of causing
death by dangerous driving.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is also investigating the
incident because an Avon & Somerset Constabulary vehicle was involved.

Friends said that Mr Simons, 34, and his 30-year-old wife had been trying to
start a family without success and were delighted that they had been
approved for IVF treatment.

Diane Pullin said that the Simons had been for dinner with her daughter
Samantha on Saturday night. She said: “My daughter has helium balloons at
the top of her stairs wishing them luck and she can’t even look at them. She
said to me, ‘How can I be with them on Saturday night and they’re not here
now?’. They were trying for children and they had just been told they could
have fertility treatment. They were so happy on Saturday night.”

Mr Simons, who worked for his father Ed’s building and property firm, and Mrs
Simons, who worked in a fashion store in the Cabot Circus shopping centre,
were on their way to Mrs Simons’s parents’ house for a meal when they were
killed.

The couple, from Staple Hill, in Bristol, were described as “the nicest
neighbours you could hope for”. Their mountain bikes had recently been
stolen and they bought the tandem to replace them. Sunday was one of the
first occasions they had ridden it.

They were killed by the Citroën, which had been driven off at high speed when
a police officer tried to stop it. A spokeswoman for Avon & Somerset
Constabulary said: “A police officer’s attention was drawn to a Citroën
Picasso travelling along Lower Hanham Road at speed.

“The officer indicated to the car to stop but it made off. The officer began
to follow the car but it was lost to sight almost immediately.

“Very shortly afterwards the car stuck another vehicle and then collided with
two cyclists on a tandem bicycle.”

The couple died at the scene as paramedics fought to save them. A spokesman
for Great Western Ambulance Service said: “Unfortunately both the patients
were beyond help.”

One neighbour said: “They were the best neighbours you could have. They would
do anything for anyone.” He added that Mr Simons was also a keen motocross
rider who kept himself fit going to the gym every day.

Steve Camm, another family friend, said: “They were like two peas in a pod.
They were never apart. They could never do enough for anybody.” He added:
“They were caring people. They always did random stuff. You could never stop
them from having fun.”

Inspector Frazer Davey, from Avon & Somerset Constabulary, appealed for any
witnesses to come forward. He said: “Following investigations overnight the
circumstances of this collision have become much clearer. However, I would
appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or saw this car in the area
shortly before the collision to come forward and contact us.”

The families of Mr and Mrs Simons said in a statement: “A very special couple
have been taken from us and we have no words to describe our loss.”

People continued to leave floral tributes at the scene. One read: “Ross and
Clare you were an amazing couple and fantastic people. You will be missed so
so much by all. RIP gone but never forgotten. In our hearts forever. All our
love Darren, Shelley and Joshua xxx.”

Another tribute read: “Ross and Clare. You will always be in our hearts. You
will truly be missed and never forgotten. All our love, Paul and Sharon
xxx.”